About Orange Beach, Alabama

The City of Orange Beach, Alabama

Orange Beach is a resort city situated along the Gulf of Mexico, in Baldwin County, Alabama. Orange Beach did have large orange and citrus groves hence the name. In the mid-1920s a salesman came into the area selling orange tree seedlings that were infected with blight. This wiped out the orange and citrus crops. One of Orange Beach’s first settled areas was Ono Island. It was settled in 1963 by a retired banker from Birmingham, John Calhoun Golightly. Originally it was called “Goat Island” because locals raised their goats on the island and/or “Puma Island” because it was believed a pair of pumas roamed the island. It was renamed Ono Island after a hurricane eroded the land and separated it from the Alabama mainland. Florida tried to lay claim to the territory but Alabama residents said, “Oh No—this island belongs to us”. When the Intracoastal Waterway was completed in 1932, travel to Orange Beach was improved and the tourist industry grew. In 1947 the first paved road into town was completed and electrical and phone services soon followed. Even with the growth Orange Beach was still relatively unknown to the outside world until Hurricane Fredrick hit in 1979. Fredrick destroyed much but contributed to the process of the current landscape of beachfront high rises, beachfront communities, and tourist destinations.

Popular Attractions

Orange Beach has much to offer including miles of white sandy beaches, charter fishing, parasailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, dolphin/dinner cruises and more. The Wharf is a family entertainment district with shopping, restaurants, movie theater, ferris wheel, and amphitheater. Adventure Island is another popular family destination with mini golf, bumper boats, go-carts, and an arcade. For the outdoorsman, there are many nature trails to explore at the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. Explore nature on foot or bike. Trails are ADA approved.

Schools

Orange Beach is located in the Baldwin County School District. There is one public school in the area, Orange Beach Elementary. On average, the elementary school has a ratio of 17 students to a teacher. There is approximately 450 students enrolled. Middle and high school students attend the Gulf Shores public schools.

Real Estate of Pleasure Island (Includes Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Ft. Morgan and Perdido Key, FL)

As of 2016, the median CONDO sold value on the island is $295,750. The average days on market is 167 days. Condo values on the island have increased approximately 7.5% in the last year. As of 2016, the median HOME sold value on the island is $289,900. The average days on market is 193 days. Home values on the island have increased approximately 5.5% in the last year. The median rental price for a three bedroom, two bath home is $1600 per month.